Why Burger King Russia Is Trying to Ban Stephen King's IT

Burger King Russia is attempting to ban Stephen King's IT from the country, due to perceived similarities between Pennywise and Ronald McDonald.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the fast food company filed a complaint with Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, suggesting IT should no longer be shown in Russian theaters. Burger King claims the blockbuster horror movie doubles as advertising for McDonald's because of the aforementioned similarity between the film and restaurant chain's mascot.

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The service issued a response to THR, saying while they'll evaluate whether or not IT includes advertising or product placement, it "can't be concerned with the content of the film because the writer and director have their own creative understanding of any character."

IGN's IT review said director Andy Muschietti "evokes [Stephen King's] effortless melodrama and in-your-face psychological torments simultaneously, because he seems to understand that these sensibilities bring out the best and, by definition, the worst in one another."

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For more, see who Bill Denbrough actor Jaeden Lieberher would like to see play his character in the sequel, which is scheduled to hit theaters September 6, 2019.

Jordan is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter @jdsirani.